In the spring of 2019, Ratinenhayén:thos, a group of seed savers and farmers Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, rematriated a collection of heirloom seeds from the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, in Kingston, Ontario. In the time leading up to the rematriation*, the two groups shared knowledge of the collection, agricultural practices and solidified their commitment to one another and, most importantly, to the seeds.
“What’s special about this collection to our people is the fact that the whole collection originated out of Napanee and because we were a strong agricultural community, there’s a good chance that some of those seeds, or maybe even all of them, came from here. Since the ‘70s, these 300 varieties were grown together like a family, and that could possibly end next year, but it likely won’t because of the interest that people have shown in receiving a replication of the collection,” says Ratinenhayén:thos member, Janice Brant.
The seed sanctuary in Kingston has been cared for by the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul since 1999. 2018 was their last growing season of this collection of seeds, which has close to 300 varieties corn, bean, squash, tomatoes, flowers and herbs. Most of these seeds have been grown and saved from Foxfire Farm in Napanee, Ont. since 1974.
To symbolize this transition, the two groups spent several months creating the passing the seeds wampum belt**. The Passing the Seeds wampum belt is a record of the agreement, relationship and story of the rematriation of a collection of heirloom seeds from the Sisters of Providence in Kingston to Ratinenhayén:thos, a group of seed savers and knowledge holders, from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
The underlying connection that bonds the two groups of women is their spiritual and feminine intrinsic respect and grounding in nature that exists above boundaries of race and religion. The communities are working together to respect two overlapping histories for the common goal of the continuation of our seeds, food and traditions for the next generations.
“There’s a whole art, science, and spirituality to our food ways that are inclusive of the foods, the medicines, and the seeds,” says Brant.
*The term “rematriation” is a reinterpretation of “repatriation”, which is often used to describe the act of giving something back to Indigenous people. By changing the word to rematriation, Ratinenhayén:thos are invoking the importance that clan mothers and women had in caring for these seeds.
**Wampum belts, Quahog shell beads bound on strings, in intricate patterns, are used as a guide to narrate Haudenosaunee history, traditions, laws, and treaties or agreements between groups.
To learn more about Ratinenhayén:thos and the Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary:
Bay of Quinte Tourism - Meet the Growers: Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Centre
https://bayofquinte.ca/tourism/kenhteke-seed-sanctuary/
For information about getting involved with the Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary, please visit their website: www.kenhtekeseedsanctuary.com
Rematriate: Passing the seeds - a film by Shelby Lisk
coming soon